Bingo game application product and system related thereto

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology is directed to methods, products and systems for streamlining the process of playing bingo. This patent is directed to a computer application whereby a computing device such as a mobile phone captures one or more likenesses of a bingo card(s) using the camera function of the device. Optical character or image recognition software and algorithms interpret and store the card(s) and corresponding characters. When characters are called for matching with the bingo cards in play, the called character is entered into the computing device. The application compares the called character to those captured by the computing device to identify instances of matches on each card in play until a winning card is identified and the player is alerted of the win, or until the game is over.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Related Application

This utility application claims priority to and is a continuation ofpreviously filed application Ser. No. 16/843,930 filed Apr. 9, 2020which was a continuation-in-part of previously filed U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/939,133 filed Nov. 22, 2019.

2. Field of the Invention

The disclosed technology relates generally to products, methods andsystems to assist bingo players. In particular, the technology isdirected to a digital bingo game and assist application. In particular,the disclosed methods and system comprise generally integrating thecapture of images of multiple bingo game cards by the App viainteractive user/player input before and during the desired bingo gamewhereby the App monitors characters input by the player during play toidentify winning play on multiple bingo cards simultaneously. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to collecting and monitoringinformation on at least one bingo card and notify the player when therequired, winning character sequence or pattern has been achieved on oneor more of the bingo cards in play.

3. Background and Related Art

Bingo is a game of chance. One common form of bingo includes cards whichare flat pieces of paper or cardboard containing 25 squares arranged infive vertical columns and five side to side rows (5×5). Each square inthe grid contains a character such as a number, letter or other symbol,except the middle square which is often designated a “Free” space.

A common form of bingo includes using numbers 1 through 75. The fivecolumns of the card are labeled ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’, and ‘O’ from left toright. For example, the range of printed numbers that can appear on thecard is commonly assigned by column, with the ‘B’ column only containingnumbers between 1 and 15 inclusive, the ‘I’ column containing only 16through 30, ‘N’ containing 31 through 45, ‘G’ containing 46 through 60,and ‘O’ containing 61 through 75. While 5×5 is a common format, thereare many potential square matrices depending on the desired variation inplay such as 9×3 with 90 numbers for calling, and many others.

Often, prior to beginning bingo games, the venue administratordistributes to the bingo players a play programs listing the sequence ofgames to be played. The game starts with the game operator announcingthe game type and the sequence/pattern on the game card which the playermust have in order to win. The pattern must be produced by matchesbetween the printed card symbols and the symbols drawn randomly by thegame operator. The winning card or cards are those which first containthe predetermined pattern of matches announced by the game operator. Forexample, the required pattern may be a row, column, diagonal, complexpattern, or any other recognizable pattern including a totally matchedcard.

Typically, each player matches characters printed on cards with thecharacters called out by the game host. The called characters arerandomly selected. The object of the game is to achieve characterscorresponding to the required pattern on a card. Players compete againsteach other seeking to be the first to achieve the winning pattern. Whena winner is identified a new game may be commenced.

Electronic bingo apparatuses and systems have been developed. Forexample, known versions of electronic bingo include a method andapparatus for consumer awards in published United States Application,Publication No. US 2013/0130785 (May 23, 2013), a networked multiplebingo game system in published United States Application, PublicationNo. US 2005/0208991 (Sep. 22, 2005) and an electronic bingo system inpublished United States Application, Publication No. US 2019/0151748(May 23, 2019).

The known systems require some interaction with the bingo games server,network or other local device associated with the venue or the game inplay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a computer-implemented application forstreamlining the process of playing bingo that includes the steps ofinitiating a mobile application on a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, desktop computer or portable computer, augmented realityor virtual reality device, having a camera thereon, using the mobiledevice to capture at least one likeness of a bingo card, using opticalcharacter recognition software to interpret and store the card numbersor characters in association with the bingo cards on the mobile device,accessing at least one of the bingo cards for play, and inputting thecalled numbers or characters into the mobile device while in play toallow the mobile application to record and cross-reference the callednumbers or characters with at least one bingo card currently in play,the mobile application immediately notifying the user when the bingocard has achieved bingo.

The disclosed and claimed methods, product and system are directed to acomputer application (App) which assists a user/bingo player who wishesto participate in bingo games being hosted by another person or entityat some physical venue or other location and to do so independent of theelectronic, network or system used by the venue to operate the game. TheApp controls a computing device to receive, process and transform alikeness of a physical bingo card including an array of squaresincluding characters such as numbers, letters and/or symbols in therespective squares into a corresponding electronic, interactive displayon a screen of a computing device.

The App applies optical image and character recognition technology toperform the receiving, processing and transforming functions. The Apppopulates a database corresponding to each square and character in eachsquare of the physical bingo card(s) in play into a correspondingelectronic, interactive display. The App allows the player to select therequired winning pattern of the game using an interactive display and toinput the character called by the bingo game operator using aninteractive display.

After each input, the App, without further input from the user/playercompares the inputted, called character with each character in eachsquare of the corresponding, electronic display. If the inputted, calledcharacter and a character in a square of the corresponding, electronicdisplay are the same, the App, without further input from the playermarks the corresponding square with an indication of an instance of amatch.

After each input of a called character, the App continuously monitorseach card in play to verify whether the cumulative instances of matcheson a card in play has completed the required pattern to win. As soon asa winning pattern is verified on any card in play, the App communicatesto the player that a winning pattern has been achieved on a card inplay. The disclosed bingo gaming technology may be implemented as anapplication on a hand-held, mobile device such as a tablet, telephone orany other suitable computing device capable of running applications.

The above computer-implemented method for streamlining the process ofplaying bingo may also include the steps of adding and editing differentgame types, recording player data input from the App to a remote serveronce an internet connection can be established, providing GPSfunctionality to tag locations and to collect the location informationof the specific bingo venue, including the type of bingo games that areplayed and variations in bingo rules that are played at the specificbingo venue, and using a content management system software applicationor set of related programs to create and manage the digital contents andto add and update content in the App.

The application may also use barcodes including but not limited to QR™matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode), Universal Product Code(UPC), or other codes, or serial numbers or other identification numbersto recognize or identify bingo cards. The use of Bingo Cards containingtechnologies such as radiofrequency identification (RFID) and Near FieldCommunication located thereon or embedded therein to recognize oridentify bingo cards may also be used, in accordance with the disclosureprovided herein.

The App is not a gambling tool, method or system; it is acomputer-implemented assist to aid bingo players. The App receives andtransmits no bets or wagers and can be implemented entirely free ofadvertisements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above referenced and otherfeatures and advantages of the disclosed methods and system areachieved, a more particular description will be rendered throughreference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings.The drawing provide further understanding of the invention andconstitute a part of this specification. It will be appreciated that thefollowing descriptions and drawings depict only exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosed methods and systems and are not, therefore, to beconsidered as limiting in scope. Illustrative depictions include:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting the initiation of the App for login andregistration in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the input selections presented by theApp to be made by interactive paid member/player input to create asession of bingo play in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting pre-game steps and selections presentedby the App and to be made by interactive paid member/player input for asession game in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3A depicts a means for capturing bingo cards.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the assistive steps presented by theApp during a bingo game consistent with FIG. 3 and with additionalinteractive input from the player in accordance with the disclosedtechnology.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting the assistive daubing operation 100provided by the App corresponding to interactive input from the playerin accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting pre-game steps and selections of analternative embodiment presented by the App and to be made byinteractive paid member/player input for a single game in accordancewith the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting the assistive steps presented by theApp during a bingo game consistent with the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 6 and with additional interactive input from the player inaccordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting pre-game steps and selections of analternative embodiment presented by the App and to be made byinteractive paid member/player input for a session game in accordancewith the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting the assistive generate charts operation65 of FIG. 8 provided by the App corresponding to interactive input fromthe player in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting the assistive steps presented by theApp during a bingo game consistent with the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 8 and with additional interactive input from the player inaccordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting pre-game steps and selections of analternative embodiment presented by the App and to be made byinteractive paid member/player input for a single game in accordancewith the disclosed technology.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the assistive steps presented by theApp during a bingo game consistent with the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 11 and with additional interactive input from the player inaccordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative depiction of a computing device or systemwhich may be used in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the App is initialized.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the START button in FIG. 14 is touched presenting qualifying loginsare the option to continue as a guest.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appafter a qualifying login from FIG. 15 presenting game options to theplayer.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the SELECT A SESSION button in FIG. 16 is touched presenting astart session screen.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the START SESSION button in FIG. 17 is touched presenting the App'scapture cards screen.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary screen shot of a display of FIG. 18 generated bythe App when the camera function of the computing device is positionedabove desired physical bingo cards.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the App ofan electronic display generated and saved by the App corresponding tothe physical bingo cards.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CONTINUE button of FIG. 20 is touched presenting a sessionsummary screen to the player.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the START GAME button of FIG. 21 is touched presenting a sessiongame screen to the player.

FIG. 22A is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appillustrating a current game screen playing a four-square pattern inwhich a collapse feature is available to the player.

FIG. 22B is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the collapse button in FIG. 22A is touched thereby collapsing theview of the bingo cards in a current game screen playing four squarepattern to show just the four corner squares of each card needed toachieve bingo.

FIG. 23A is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the player touches the letter B of FIG. 22 presenting to the playerall B potential B number to be called in the game.

FIG. 23B is an exemplary screen shot of an alternative display generatedby the App when the VIEW CALLED NUMBERS button of FIG. 22 is touchedpresenting to the player an overlay of the potential numbers to becalled in the game.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appafter the player has repeatedly touched the numbers called during thegame and illustrating a pulsed or enlarged number 74 needed to achievebingo.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appand automatically presented to the player without further input from theplayer when bingo has been achieved on a card in play including adisplay of electronic daub marks on the called numbers.

FIG. 26 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CONFIRM button of FIG. 25 is touched presenting to the player abingo celebration.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the SKIP button of FIG. 26 is touched presenting to the player gamestatistics and awards or after a game as depicted in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 28 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CREATE/EDIT SESSIONS Button of FIG. 16 is touched presenting tothe player previously saved sessions from which the player may select.

FIG. 29 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CREATE SESSION button of FIG. 28 is touched presenting to theplayer input options as to session names and bingo game patterns.

FIG. 30 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the PLAY A SINGLE GAME button of FIG. 16 is touched presenting tothe player a selection of bingo game patterns.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the player selected the Box pattern as shown in FIG. 30 .

FIG. 32 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the PRIVATE MODE button of FIG. 16 is touched presenting to theplayer private mode game options.

FIG. 33 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appafter the player selects AUTO-CALLING.

FIG. 34 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appafter a game pattern is selected in private mode presenting to theplayer input options as to number of array of cards to be generated bythe App in private mode.

FIG. 35 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CONTINUE button of FIG. 34 is touched presenting to the playerthe cards generated by the APP for play.

FIG. 36 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CONTINUE button of FIG. 35 is touched presenting to the playera game summary in private mode.

FIG. 37 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the START GAME button of FIG. 36 is touched presenting to theplayer a current game in private mode.

FIG. 38 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CALLER MODE button of FIG. 16 is touched presenting to theplayer an overlay of the potential numbers that may be called during thegame.

FIG. 39 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the REGISTER button of FIG. 15 is touched presenting registrationoptions to the player.

FIG. 40 is an exemplary screen shot of a display generated by the Appwhen the CONTINUE AS A GUEST button of FIG. 15 is touched presentinglimited game options to the player such as play a single game and callermode only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is used to play bingo in a physicalbingo hall location that uses static or physical paper cards. The Appmethod, product and system and related device collects and monitorsinformation on one or more static bingo card and notifies the playerwhen one of the monitored static bingo cards becomes a winning card.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter, and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

Bingo is a game of chance in which each player marks off numbers printedin different arrangements on normally 5×5 cards (5 squares horizontaland five squares vertical) as the numbers are drawn randomly by acaller, with the winner being the first person, or among the firstpersons, to mark off the required number or configuration of squares inthe required winning pattern.

When a player finds the called numbers on a card in the winning patternthe plays calls out “Bingo!” to alert all participants to a winningcard, which prompts the game caller (or an associate assisting thecaller) to examine the card for verification of the win.

Players compete against one another to be the first, or among the firstgroup, to have a winning arrangement for the prize or jackpot. After awinner is declared, the players clear, or discard, their bingo cards,and the game host begins a new round of play.

It is not uncommon for players to play multiple cards during each game.However, since Bingo can be a fast-paced game in which the numbers maybe called at an evenly moderate to fast pace, often it can be difficultfor some individuals to keep up with the monitoring of their cardsespecially when playing multiple cards, thereby leading to potentialunmarked numbers on their cards and greatly reducing the player's chanceof winning. Slight inattentiveness may also potentially result inunmarked numbers on a player's cards.

The present application is an attempt to solve the above mentionedproblems by streamlining the process of playing bingo. Morespecifically, the present invention comprises a method, computersoftware and mobile application for optimizing a player's participationin the game of bingo by notifying the user when they have achieved bingoon one or more of their bingo cards. For example, in an embodiment ofthe mobile application (App) of the present invention the mobileapplication will preferably focus on 5×5 card bingo games, which are themost common among the application's target demographic.

The user in the mobile application will be able to select from more thanone hundred pre-loaded game patterns upon launch and will have theability to create, edit and delete new game patterns as necessary. Thepatterns added by the user will appear exclusively within theapplication that is installed on the user's device and not on devicesused by other users even if the other users have the same mobileapplication.

The user will have the ability to name any new pattern-type the usercreates. The user will also have an optional tool that allows the userto place a GPS tag on a location and store that location within themobile application. The mobile application will remember what types ofgame patterns are played at a location and prompt the user to select oneof those pattern types the next time he or she arrives at that location.In essence, the mobile application will learn patterns that will allowthe mobile application to suggest pattern types to the user based on theuser's location.

The present invention also includes the ability to transmit, record andstore all of the above user information to a remote server or databaseand process such information for data mining purposes with the abilityto process the aforementioned information in order to commercialize suchinformation including but not limited to selling such information topotential advertisers, to assist in the advertising of services andproducts to the application user and to help enhance or improve featuresand quality of the application.

Another feature of the present invention is that the user canincorporate new bingo cards into the App. For example, the Appuser/player uses the camera function of the device to capture a likenessof the desired bingo cards to the device. The App then manages the useof optical character recognition (OCR) software to interpret and storethe card numbers on the device. The App may also use barcodes includingbut not limited to QR™ matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode),Universal Product Code (UPC), or other codes, or serial numbers or otheridentification numbers to recognize or identify bingo cards. The use ofBingo Cards containing technologies such as radio frequencyidentification (RFID) and Near Field Communication located thereon orembedded therein to recognize or identify bingo cards may also be used.

The application and device allow the user to enter the numbers beingcalled out during the bingo game and monitors those number'sarrangements on every card that the player is playing and notifies theplayer when one or more of the monitored static bingo cards becomes awinning card. During game use the user will first start up the mobileapplication and record the desired playing card or cards for play by acamera on the mobile device to capture static/paper bingo cards andconverts them, such as through optical character recognition (OCR)technology, to a digital format, i.e. the numbers and their specificarrangement on each card.

As bingo numbers are called, the bingo App can receive the called numberin play. For example, in some implementations, the player may manuallyinput the called number to the bingo App. In the alternative, the callednumber may be entered into the application via voice recognitionsoftware to convert an audible input of the number in play either froman announcer or from the user/player and converts the audible input intoan electronic signal or electronic based number.

Once the input of the ball number is entered into the system the systemwill record and cross-reference the called numbers with the bingo cardor cards currently in play and will immediately notify the user when oneor more of the cards has a winning bingo pattern.

Another feature of the present invention is that the present applicationmay utilize image recognition functionality to capture the image ofevery card purchased for each game of bingo.

The mobile application may also use GPS functionality to tag locationsand to collect the location information for all sessions.

A further feature of the present invention is that the mobileapplication may also record data to a remote server once an internetconnection can be established. For example, the App may includefunctionality to collect data that had been difficult or impossible toobtain previously, such as, data related to the location, day/night ofthe week, and the player, including but not limited to, time betweencalls; number of games per session; time, number, and duration ofsessions; time, number, and duration of breaks; time between games;duration of games; duration of games per pattern; number of calls perpattern, frequency of pattern use; use of layouts of multiple cards(1×3, 2×3, 1×2, etc.); location of user; number of users active andtotal; and location and when a session is created.

The feature of the present invention may include animations utilized toexcite the user, along with optional sound effects and vibrations. Thepresent application may also be enhanced by a content management system(CMS) software application or set of related programs that are used tocreate and manage the digital content with the ability to add and updatecontent in the mobile application.

The present application can be used in bars, bingo halls, and othervenues that host bingo sessions. Sessions will usually consist ofseveral games, each requiring different conditions to achieve bingo. TheApp allows the user to organize the game patterns so that the user canplay multiple games in a row while adhering to a particular bingovenue's announced game sequence. When one bingo game has been completed,the user will have the ability to reset the game so that they cancapture fresh cards for the next game.

One Embodiment of a Bingo App

The disclosed technology comprises methods, products and systems forallowing a bingo player to participate in bingo games being hosted byanother in a venue and to do so independent of the electronic, networkor system used by the venue to operate the game.

In its most basic form, the application (App) of this patent usesoptical or intelligent character recognition to identify the numbers oneach card and it stores each square, in memory, as a set. The Appdistinguishes the state of each square among those that have been markedand those that have not been marked. When it identifies that a numberhas been marked on one card it compares that number to those stored ineach set and identifies and uses augmented reality (AR) to virtuallymark, or highlight, that number on every other card stored in memory.The App may use a translucent virtual mark, of a different color thanthe real mark, to display the unmarked number on every card to theplayer. The player can then easily mark the remaining numbers on thecards being played. As the player marks the remaining numbers thevirtual mark is removed. The App does not require an internet connectionto assist the player to perceive called numbers to daub bingo cards orto announce bingo. A description of an illustrative embodiment of an Appconsistent with this invention follows with reference to schematic flowcharts and exemplary screen shots.

To begin, the disclosed App (or any other suitable software) isdownloaded onto a computing device and system 1300, discussed below.Once the App is downloaded and installed on the computing device, thebingo player may initiate the App for the first time 10, FIG. 1 and FIG.14 . The first initiation or start-up may require the player to acceptthe App's User Agreement in order to access functionality. If by playerinput the player declines to accept the App's User Agreement the Appexits initial start-up 21. If by player input, the player accepts theApp's User Agreement, the App presents the player with a number oflogin/registration options such as login with Facebook, Google or email22, player input registration 24 or continue as a guest 26, see FIG. 15.

Upon qualifying login, the App presents the player with game options,see FIG. 16 As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 16 , the App may present theplayer with an interactive display allowing the player to select gameoptions. For example, for qualifying members one game option may becreating a new session or editing a previously saved session 35 whichincludes naming the session 36, selecting the desired/required winningpattern(s) 37 and saving the session 38 to the computing device orsystem for subsequent game use. The functionality of creating/editing asession 35 is provided by the App. When by player input create/editsession 35 is selected by touching a button on display 1390, FIG. 16 ,the App displays create/edit options such as editing a previously storedsession or creating a new session, FIG. 28 . When the player selectscreate session (FIG. 28 ), the App displays options for creating a newsession which may include naming the session 25, selecting the desiredpattern for achieving bingo 27 and saving the session 38, see FIG. 29 .

One embodiment of selecting a pattern 37 provided by the App includes aninteractive display with choices of patterns displayed, see FIG. 30 .For example, if the player wishes to select the Box pattern, the playertouches display 1390 on the Box display. Upon doing so the App marks theBox patterns as selected with a check, see FIG. 31 . Upon selecting NEXTon the Select Pattern screen (FIG. 31 ), the App returns the player tothe next pre-bingo game option.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 16-21 , in one embodiment the App may presentthe player with other pre-bingo or pre-game options 30 at an interactivedisplay 1390 such as selecting a saved session 40, starting a session50, capturing cards 60, displaying a game summary 70 and beginningsession or game play 80.

The App presents the player with the option to select a session 40. Whenselected by player input, select a session 40 permits the player toselect a previously saved session, for example from a drop-down menu,see FIG. 17 . After selecting a session, the player may elect startsession 50, FIG. 17 . Upon starting a session, the App presents theplayer with the ability to capture likenesses of the physical bingocards 60 the player has previously acquired for play, see FIG. 18 .

One means for capturing cards 60 may be accomplished by the stepsillustrated in FIG. 3A via an interactive screen 1390, see FIG. 18 . Forexample, the computing device 1300 includes a camera function 61 toreceive or capture a likeness of the desired physical bingo card(s) 61acquired by the user at the venue of the bingo game. Camera function 61is activated during the capture cards 60 process. When initiated, thecapture cards 60 steps of the App presents the player with an on-screenview through the camera, FIG. 18 . As the camera lens is pointed at thedesired physical bingo cards the cards come into view in the App, FIG.19 . The camera function of device 1300 is employed to receive alikeness of the physical bingo cards 61 into device 1300.

The App uses image/character recognition technology or feature detectiontechnology such as Cuneiform or Tesseract, or other suitable opticalrecognition or detection technology to process the likenesses of thebingo cards 62. For example, optical recognition technology (OCR)processes the likeness 62 to identify graphic and/or character featuresof the desired bingo card. OCR is a method of converting a scanned imageinto machine-encoded text. When an image of the desired bingo card isreceived, OCR can be applied to store the likeness as a bit-mapped filein TIF format or in JPEG format. OCR then looks at each line of theimages and attempts to determine if the lines represent a particularcharacter or arrangement familiar to the OCR application to identify thepresented character or graphic. This is known as pattern recognition orimage correlation. OCR correlates the captured likeness withcorresponding character and graphics familiar to the OCR application.The OCR application may also include neural networks.

In the alternative, the step of processing the likeness 62 may comprisefeature extraction or intelligent character recognition (ICR). Insteadof recognizing the complete pattern of the image like some OCR, ICRdetects the individual component features (angled lines, crossed lines,etc.) from which the character or graphic is made. When a sufficientnumber of component features are detected, the detected features arecompared by ICR to the known combinations of component featuresassociated with character or graphics familiar to the ICR application toidentify the presented character and/or graphic. Known OCR and ICRapplications may also comprise the capability of reproducing formattedoutput that closely approximates the original likeness including images,columns, and other non-textual components.

The App uses an image processor such as Google Vision API to process thelikeness 62. The image processor returns a data field 63 representingthe image to device 1300. The App applies algorithms generated by thoseskilled in the art to mine the returned data field for the kind andplacement of the bingo characters on the physical bingo cards forsubsequent referencing by the App to subsequently find instances ofmatch between called characters and the characters on the bingo cards.From the information provided in data field 63 the App saves thelocation and nature of each character in each square of each bingo cardto the memory 1330 or mass storage 1345 of device 1300. Other algorithmsare also applied to the returned data to transform the returned datainto a display 64 on an output device 1390 such as a visual screen,preferably a user-interactive display screen, corresponding to thephysical card(s) to populate the corresponding display 65 on screen 1390to present the player with a digital, visual image of the physicalcard(s), see FIGS. 19-22 . The App permits the player to edit the visualimage if needed, FIG. 20

The App presents the player with the option of capturing more cards 66,FIG. 21 . If the player desires to receive another bingo card, the Appreturns to receiving step 61, FIG. 18 . This receiving cycle is repeatedas desired by the player to meet the player's desire and strategy as tohow many cards the player wishes to have ready and/or to play eitherindividually or simultaneously, as further discussed below.

When the player has captured all the intended bingo cards, the Apppresents a display of the game summary 70 on screen 1390 available forplay, FIG. 21 . The player may elect to start session game play 80, FIG.21 .

As depicted in FIG. 4 , by player input on device 1300 selectingstarting session play of the game 80, the App displays the main bingoscreen 90 on output screen 1390, FIG. 22 . Main bingo screen 90 presentsa visual image of the captured cards, FIG. 22 , and allows players toview their cards while games are in progress. As the game begins thegame caller begins to call characters/numbers and daubing or markingbegins. Daubing/marking is keeping track of the instances of when acalled number matches a number on one or more cards in play. This isdone by the App by making a visible mark or blot on the displayedcard(s) in play for each instance of match.

As depicted in FIG. 5 , as the game caller calls a character 101 the Appassists the player by electronically daubing the called character oneach card(s) in play; this is accomplished by player input on device1300 by the player marking or entering the called number into the App102. For example, if the caller calls B14, the player touches the letterB depicted in FIG. 22 and the App automatically opens an input screenfor all B numbers, FIG. 23A. Upon touching B14 the App automaticallyreturns to main screen 90, FIG. 22 to await the next number call.

At main screen 90 the player may alternatively select an overlay of allpotentially called numbers by selecting a view called numbers option,FIG. 22 . The view called numbers overlay of the App presents the playerwith an overlay of all the possible numbers to be called. That is, theApp presents a visual, interactive caller mode display with the lettersB-I-N-G-O from left to right across the top with potential charactersunder each letter, FIG. 23B. In this example, the characters are numberssuch that the numbers 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60 and 61-75 are underletters B, I, N, G, and O, respectively, FIG. 23B. As a number is calledby the caller, by player input on interactive screen 1390, the playertouches the corresponding, called number. The screen remains on thedisplay awaiting the next called number.

Other functionality provided by the App is collapsing the view of thecards in play to show only those squares required to achieve bingo. Forexample, if the chosen game pattern is four corners, that is, just thefour squares in each corner of the bingo card must be matched to obtainbingo, the current game view may display all the squares on each card inplay as shown in FIG. 22A. As shown in FIG. 22A, the App presents theplayer with a collapse view option button. When selected by player input(by touching an interactive screen 1390), the App changes the currentgame view of the cards in play to show just the four corner squaresneeded to achieve bingo, FIG. 22B. Collapsed view allows more game cardsto be displayed on a single screen. When the collapsed game view of FIG.22B is displayed, the previous collapse view button, FIG. 22A, ischanged to an expand view button, FIG. 22B. When the expand view buttonis selected by player input, the current game view changes back todisplaying all the squares of the game pattern on the card, FIG. 22A.The collapse-expand view functionality may be programmed into the Appfor given or selected game patterns which, when collapsed, allowed morebingo cards in play to be displayed on a single screen, for example,game patterns requiring only certain rows or columns of characters to bematched to achieve bingo.

As called numbers are inputted by the player on device 1300, the Apprecords the called character and then references or compares theinputted, called number to each number on each card in play to determineif there is an instance of a match 103, FIG. 5 . If there is a match,the App electronically daubs all instances of the match on eachdisplayed card in play 104 where a match is identified. The Appreferences daubs from all game card faces with the required winningcombination to determine if bingo has been achieved 105. If bingo hasbeen achieved on at least one card, the App confirms bingo 110 to theplayer by displaying an alert of bingo on display 1390, FIG. 25 . Oncebingo is confirmed the App may display a bingo celebration graphic, FIG.26 .

If bingo 110 is not achieved on the last called character, by playerinput on device 1300 the App presents the player with the options toforfeit the game 130, enter revised calls (in the event the play misseda call or entered a character in error) 130 or enter the next calledcharacter. A game is forfeited when, for example, another playerachieves bingo and the bingo game is lost by the player 140. Or, if theplayer achieves bingo then the player wins the game 120. After eitherlosing the game 140 or winning the game 120, by player input on device1300, the player may elect to discontinue play or play another game 150.If the player elects to play the next game 160, the App returns thedisplay to begin session play 80. If the player elects to discontinueplay, the App returns the player to the display for game options 30.

As depicted in FIG. 6 , another embodiment contemplates single gameplay. It begins at game options 30, see FIG. 16 . When single game playis selected by player input, the App displays pattern selections 37 onan interactive display, FIG. 30 . For example, if the player wishes toselect the Box pattern, the player touches display 1390 on the Boxdisplay. Upon doing so the App marks the Box patterns as selected with acheck, see FIG. 31 .

Upon selecting NEXT on the Select Pattern screen (FIG. 31 ), the Appreturns the player to the next pre-bingo game option such as capturecards 60, FIG. 6 .

As with other embodiments discussed herein, the App presents the playerwith the ability to capture images of bingo cards for play 60. Aftercapturing cards, the App displays the game summary 70 and the player mayselect single game-gameplay 280.

Upon player input selecting single game-gameplay 280, FIG. 7 , the Appinitiates single play 280 by displaying the main bingo screen 290, seefor example FIG. 21 . As the game caller calls a character the Appassists the player to electronically daub 300 the called character oneach card(s) in play if the card includes the called character; this isaccomplished by player input on device 1300. Daubing step 300 is likedaubing 100 discussed above, see FIGS. 5, 22, 23A and 23B.

If bingo 310 is not achieved on the last called character, by playerinput on device 1300 the App presents the player with the options toforfeit the game 330, enter revised calls (in the event the play misseda call or entered a character in error) 330 or enter the next calledcharacter. A game is forfeited when, for example, another playerachieves bingo and the bingo game is lost by the player 340. Or, if theplayer achieves bingo then the player wins the game 320. After eitherlosing the game 340 or winning the game 320, the App returns the playerto the display for game options 30.

Another embodiment comprises a private mode session game as a gameoption, FIGS. 8 and 32 . In private mode the player may play bingoalone, or with others. As depicted in FIG. 8 , in private mode, the Appmay present the player with pre-bingo or pre-game options 30 at aninteractive display 1390 such as selecting a saved session 40 andstarting it session 50, generating cards 65, displaying a game summary70 and beginning session or game play 380.

In private play, the App also provides options to create/edit sessionsor play a single game, FIG. 32 . Creating or editing a session andplaying a single game is accomplished as discussed above in connectionwith FIGS. 2 and 6 .

As depicted in FIG. 9 , one means for generating cards 65 may beaccomplished by the following steps. The App presents an electronicdisplay prompting player input to select the number of cards to begenerated 67, see FIG. 34 . The App/system generates the selected numberof cards. For example, the App/system generates two sets of 1×3 threecard faces inserting random characters into each square of the bingocard faces 69. see FIG. 35 . The App then presents a display of the gamesummary 70 on screen 1390 available for play, see FIG. 36 . The playermay elect to start the game/begin session play of the game 380, FIG. 36.

As depicted in FIG. 10 , game play 380 set up in FIG. 8 , begins withthe App displaying main bingo screen 390 on screen 1390. FIG. 37illustrates an exemplary screen shot of main bingo screen 390 includingthe bingo card(s) generated 69 by the App.

In private play, the player need not be in a physical venue where a gamecaller is present. A game option of private mode provided by the Appincludes auto-calling, see FIG. 32 . In private mode, by playerselection of auto-calling by touching, see FIG. 33 , the App simulatesthe game caller in either a female or male voice.

As characters/numbers are called, the App assists the player toelectronically daub 400 the called character on each card(s) in play ifthe card includes the called character; this is accomplished by playerinput on device 1300. Daubing step 400 is like daubing 100 discussedabove, see FIGS. 5, 22, 23A and 23B. The App references daubs from allgame card faces with the required winning combination to determine ifbingo has been achieved If bingo has been achieved on at least one card,the App alerts the player to confirm bingo 410 by displaying an alert ofbingo on display 1390. If the player achieves bingo then the player winsthe game 420.

If bingo 410 is not achieved on the last called character, by playerinput on device 1300 the App presents the player with the options toforfeit the game 430, enter revised calls (in the event the play misseda call or entered a character in error) 430 or enter the next calledcharacter. A game is forfeited when, for example, another playerachieves bingo and the bingo game is lost by the player 440. Aftereither losing the game 440 or winning the game 420, the player isawarded or earns XP or Experience Points, moves a level up and/orunlocks goats with enhancement features 445 (FIG. 27 ). After step 445,by player input on device 1300, the player may elect to discontinue playor play another game 450. If the player elects to play the next game460, the App returns the display to begin session play 380. If theplayer elects to discontinue play, the App returns the player to thedisplay for game options 30.

In another embodiment as depicted in FIG. 11 , the App presents theplayer with the pre-bingo setup options for single game private mode,that is, the player may play a single game by herself/himself. Likesession private play in connection with FIGS. 8-10 , In private singleplay the player need not be in a physical venue where a game caller ispresent. A game option of private mode provided by the App includesauto-calling, see FIG. 32 . In private mode, by player selection ofauto-calling by touching, see FIG. 33 , the App simulates the gamecaller in either a female or male voice.

As depicted in FIG. 11 , the App may present the player with pre-bingoor pre-game options 30 at an interactive display 1390 such as selectinga pattern 37, generating cards 65, displaying a game summary 70 onscreen 1390 available for play and beginning single, private game play480. Selecting a pattern 37 may be accomplished as discussed above inconnection with FIG. 6 . As discussed above, one means for generatingcards 65 may be accomplished as discussed above in connection with FIG.9 . After generating bingo cards for play 65, the App displays the gamesummary 70 and the player may select single game-gameplay 480.

As depicted in FIG. 12 , to play the game set up in FIG. 11 , the gamebegins by player input on device 1300 selecting beginning single play ofthe game 480. The App then displays the main bingo screen 490 on screen1390. similar to main screen 290, see FIG. 21 , depicting the bingocard(s) generated by the App.

As characters/numbers are called, the App assists the player toelectronically daub 400 the called character on each card(s) in play ifthe card includes the called character; this is accomplished by playerinput on device 1300. Daubing step 400 is like daubing 100 discussedabove, see FIGS. 5, 22, 23A and 23B. The App references daubs from allgame card faces with the required winning combination to determine ifbingo has been achieved If bingo has been achieved on at least one card,the App alerts the player to confirm bingo 510 by displaying an alert ofbingo on display 1390. If the player achieves bingo then the player winsthe game 520.

If bingo 510 is not achieved on the last called character, by playerinput on device 1300 the App presents the player with the options toforfeit the game 530, enter revised calls (in the event the play misseda call or entered a character in error) 530 or enter the next calledcharacter. A game is forfeited when, for example, another playerachieves bingo and the bingo game is lost by the player 540. Aftereither losing the game 540 or winning the game 520, the player isawarded or earns XP or Experience Points, moves a level up and/orunlocks goats with enhancement features 545 (FIG. 27 ). After step 545,the App returns the player to the display for game options 30.

Another App feature of daubing 100 that can be incorporated into thevarious embodiments discussed above and which can be selected by playerinput on device 1300 is a highlighting or pulsing display of the imageof characters still needed to complete bingo on any card in play. Forexample, if, in caller mode as illustrated by FIG. 23B, 074 only wasneeded to complete bingo on a card in play, the App in caller modecauses 074 to be dynamically highlighted and/or to pulsed larger onscreen 1390, FIG. 24 , indicating to the player that if 074 is calledbingo will be achieved on a card.

Exemplary Computing Devices and System

An exemplary computing device used to implement the disclosed App may beany type of portable computing device, such as a laptop, a smart device,a mobile telephone, a tablet-style computer, a personal digitalassistant or any other handheld electronic device capable of computerprocessing functions required by the features of the disclosed App.Sufficient computer processing functions can be provided by acombination of hardware and software.

The described systems and methods can be used with or in any suitableoperating environment and/or software. In this regard, FIG. 13 and thecorresponding discussion are intended to provide an exemplary, generalillustration of a suitable operating environment in which embodiments ofthe App invention may operate. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced by oneor more different or equivalent computing devices and in a variety ofcomputing configurations, platforms and systems. For example, computingenvironments may include embedded systems with general purposeprocessing units, digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand-alone electronic devices, andother such electronic environments.

Embodiments of the App may involve one or more computer-readable media,wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereondata or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. Thecomputer executable instructions include data structures, objects,programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by aprocessing system, such as one associated with a general-purposecomputer capable of performing various different functions or oneassociated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing alimited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause theprocessing system to perform a particular function or group of functionsand are examples of program code means for implementing steps formethods disclosed herein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of theexecutable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts thatmay be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable mediainclude random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”),programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any otherdevice or component that is capable of providing data or executableinstructions that may be accessed by a processing system. Whileembodiments of the invention embrace the use of all types ofcomputer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited in the claimsmay be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedia, and the phrases “tangible computer-readable medium” and“non-transitory computer-readable medium” (or plural variations) usedherein are intended to exclude transitory propagating signals per se.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a representative computing system forimplementing embodiments of the invention includes computing device1300, which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or anyof a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computingdevice 1300 may be a smart phone, feature phone, handheld device,personal computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a tablet computersuch as the iPad.RTM. manufactured by Apple or any of a variety ofANDROID.TM-based, AMAZON.RTM.-based, BLACKBERRY.RTM.-based,WINDOWS.RTM.-based, and/or similar tablet (and/or other handheld)computers produced by multiple manufacturers, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, a workstation, aminicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, anetwork computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, or thelike, running with any suitable operating system (including, withoutlimitation, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, UNIX, Chromium OS, OS X, BSD,QNX, IBM z/OS, and/or any other suitable known and/or novel operatingsystem).

Computing device 1300 includes system bus 1350, which may be configuredto connect various components thereof and to enables data to beexchanged between two or more components. System bus 1350 may includeone of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a varietyof bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus 1350include processing system 1320 and memory 1330. Other components mayinclude one or more mass storage device interfaces 1340, inputinterfaces 1360, and/or output interfaces 1380, each of which will bediscussed below.

Processing system 1320 may include one or more processors, such as acentral processor and optionally one or more other processors designedto perform a particular function or task. It is typically processingsystem 1320 that executes the instructions provided on computer-readablemedia, such as on memory 1330, a solid-state drive, a flash drive, amagnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, anoptical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also beviewed as a computer-readable medium.

Memory 1330 includes one or more computer-readable media that may beconfigured to include or includes thereon data or instructions forrunning the App, manipulating data, and may be accessed by processingsystem 1320 through system bus 1350. Memory 1330 may include, forexample, ROM 1334, used to permanently store information, and/or RAM1336, used to temporarily store information. ROM 1334 may include abasic input/output system (“BIOS”) having one or more routines that areused to establish communication, such as during start-up of computingdevice

1300. RAM 1336 may include one or more program modules, such as one ormore operating systems, application programs, and/or program data.

One or more mass storage device interfaces 1340 may be used to connectone or more mass storage devices 1344 to system bus 1350. The massstorage devices 3144 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral tocomputing device 1300 and allow computing device 1300 to retain largeamounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices1344 may be removable from computing device 1300. Examples of massstorage devices include solid-state drives, flash drives, hard diskdrives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical disk drives. Amass storage device 1344 may read from and/or write to a magnetic harddisk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk,or another computer-readable medium. Mass storage devices 1344 and theircorresponding computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage ofdata and/or executable instructions that may include one or more programmodules such as an operating system, one or more application programs,other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions areexamples of program code means for implementing steps for methodsdisclosed herein.

One or more input interfaces 1360 may be employed to enable a user toenter data and/or instructions to computing device 1300 through one ormore corresponding input devices 1370. Examples of such input devices1370 include a keyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse,trackball, touch screen, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, amicrophone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, acamcorder, a digital camera, an interactive touch screen, and the like.Similarly, examples of input interfaces 1370 that may be used to connectthe input devices 1370 to the system bus 1350 may include a serial port,a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), anintegrated circuit, a FIREWIRE.RTM. (IEEE 1394), lightning port, HDMI,or another interface. For example, in some embodiments input interface1360 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that isdesigned for a particular application. In a further embodiment, the ASICis embedded and connects existing circuit building blocks.

One or more output interfaces 1380 may be employed to connect one ormore corresponding output devices 1390 to system bus 11350. Examples ofoutput interfaces 1380 include a video adapter, an audio adapter, aparallel port, and the like. Examples of output devices 1390 may includea monitor or display screen or other electronic display, a speaker, aprinter, a multi-functional peripheral, a device capable of receiving anemail message, text or other communication, and the like. A particularoutput device 1390 may be integrated with or peripheral to computingdevice 1300. Examples of electronic displays include monitors,televisions, e-ink displays, projection displays, or any other displaycapable of displaying changing information under the control ofcomputing device 1300.

Other Embodiments

Other embodiments of the App provide bingo related functions which withallow the player to search stored data to find location-specific gametypes as desired by the player. For example, the App may allow theplayer to retrieve stored data corresponding to tagged venue locationsto allow the player to select a particular venue having the game patterndesired by the player.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto send support email messages to a system or App administrator.

Some embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto require membership registration, including username, password andother known sign-in protocols, and login before all the functions of theApp can be used.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto set notification preferences about the App related to email, pushnotifications, location preferences, updates and the like.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto create custom bingo card features with different size arrays, titles,or patterns or other criteria to achieve bingo such as by player inputby touching an interactive screen 1390 on device 1300 to identify andselect the desired custom features.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto share the App through the available options from the device'soperating system.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto customize and modify the order of bingo games being playedsimultaneously so that the play can adhere to the rules of the differentgame patterns as the games are played. After setting the order of gamepatterns by player input, the user will be able to play multiple gamesin a row. After finishing a game, the player or the App resets the game,captures new bingo cards or calls up the next cards in order, and theApp automatically jumps to the next game pattern in the ordered sequencewithout requiring the player to set-up a new game pattern in the Appbetween games.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which permits the Appto integrate with custom advertising or other advertising such as GoogleAdMob ads or other custom banners.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto change a stored character state from called to uncalled or removevirtual marks or daubs, in the case of a mistaken mark. For example,this may be accomplished by the player touching the daubed character onthe interactive display, whereupon the App prompts the player to daub orun-daub the touched character.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality which allows playersto select an option to receive information from a bingo caller'stransmitter.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality to optically detectthe ink color on the physical bingo card being captured for display andusing a different color to be used for virtual marks/daubs, or to allowthe player to select the color for marks/daubing.

Other embodiments of the App provide functionality to optically read abingo number display board at the game venue.

Other embodiment of the App may provide functionality to use a portablescanner on computing device to scan a barcode located on a bingo card torecognize or identify the bingo card and store the card content on thecomputing device.

Other embodiment of the App may provide functionality to readinformation contained in a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag located onor embedded within a bingo card to recognize or identify the bingo cardand store the card content on the computing device.

Other embodiment of the App may provide functionality to readinformation contained in a radio frequency identification (RFID) taglocated on or embedded within a bingo card to recognize or identify thebingo card and store the card content on the computing device.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may beperformed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modulesor products, alone or in combination with other devices. In oneembodiment, a computer program product capable of providing thefunctionality described above is implanted comprising acomputer-readable medium containing computer program code, which can beexecuted by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps,operations, or processes described.

Embodiments of the invention may also relate to an apparatus or systemfor performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, and/or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfiguredby a computer program stored in the computer having the functionalitydisclosed herein.

The previous explanation of one or more embodiments of the invention indetail is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the forgoing description or illustrated inthe drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention.

The forgoing detailed descriptions are merely exemplary in nature andare not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application,uses of the described embodiments or scope of the appended claims. Asused herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described hereinas “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of theimplementations described above are exemplary implementations providedto enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosed inventionat a future date.

The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope. That is, the disclosed subject matter is tobe regarded as including equivalents insofar as they do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention while providing equivalentfunctionality.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device for playing a live bingo gamecomprising: a central processor; memory; an interactive output display;camera functionality configured to capture a likeness of the visualcontent of one or more physical bingo cards and store the visual contentof each bingo card in memory on the computing device, the visual contentof each bingo card comprising images; and a computer application storedin memory on the computing device, the computer application comprisingexecutable code to convert the stored visual content of each bingo cardinto an interactive display of the bingo card on the output display ofthe computing device, and the computer application and interactivedisplay presenting a visual display of a plurality of preloaded gamepatterns for selection by the user on the interactive display.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the computer application and interactivedisplay facilitate player input of characters called during the bingogame ing player input of characters called during the bingo gamecomprises daubing the called character by player input on theinteractive display.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein facilitatingplayer input of characters called during the bingo game comprises playerselection or daubing of characters on the interactive display calledduring the bingo game.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the computerapplication further comprises functionality to tag a bingo venue withglobal positioning data associated with the bingo game patterns used bythat venue.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the computer applicationfurther comprises functionality to simultaneously highlight each imageon each of the one or more displayed bingo cards corresponding to thecalled characters.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the computerapplication further comprises functionality to present player-selectablesingle or session game modes on the output display.
 7. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the computer application further comprises functionalityto generate interactive displays of bingo cards without requiring thecapture of visual content of the physical bingo cards.
 8. The device ofclaim 1 wherein automatically identifying instances of matches betweenthe called characters and the visual content on the face of each bingocard comprises the application referencing each called character to thevisual on each face of the bingo cards to determine whether a calledcharacter is the same as the visual content on the face of one or morebingo cards.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the computer applicationfurther comprises functionality to tag a bingo venue with globalpositioning data associated with the bingo game patterns used by thatvenue.
 10. A computer-implemented method for streamlining the process ofplaying bingo, the method comprising: loading and initiating anapplication into memory on a computing device comprising a centralprocessor, memory, an interactive output display, and camerafunctionality, the application comprising executable code to convert avisual content of each bingo card into an interactive display of thebingo card on the output display of the computing device; capturing thevisual content on the face of one or more physical bingo cards using thecamera functionality and storing the captured content of each bingo cardin memory on the computing device, the content of each face of eachbingo card comprising images corresponding to characters to be calledduring the bingo game; and executing the executable code of theapplication by the computing device to convert the stored visual contentof each bingo card into an interactive display of the bingo card on theoutput display of the computing device, the executable code andinteractive display presenting a visual display of a plurality ofpreloaded game patterns for selection by the user on the interactivedisplay.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein converting the stored visualcontent of each bingo card into an interactive display of the bingo cardon the output display of the computing device comprises using optical orimage character recognition technology to interpret and store the visualcontent of each bingo card.
 12. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising executable code to facilitate the adding and/or editing byuser input of different game patterns that will require differentconfigurations to achieve bingo.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein thecomputer application comprises content management functionality or a setof related executable code to create and manage the visual contents ofeach bingo card.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the computerapplication and interactive display facilitating player input ofcharacters called during the bingo game.
 15. The device of claim 14wherein facilitating player input of characters called during the bingogame comprises player selection or daubing of characters called duringthe bingo game on the interactive display.
 16. A computer applicationproduct stored in memory on the computing device with camerafunctionality, the computer application product comprising: executablecode capable of directing the use of the camera functionality of thecomputing device to capture the visual content of each physical bingocard in play, converting the visual content of each bingo card into aninteractive display of the bingo card on an output display of thecomputing device, and generating an interactive display on the outputdisplay to prompt player selection from a plurality of pre-loaded gamepatterns.
 17. The application product of claim 16 further comprisesgenerating an interactive display on the output display to prompt playerinput of characters called during the bingo game.
 18. The applicationproduct of claim 17 wherein prompting player input of characters calledduring the bingo game comprises daubing the called character by playerinput on the interactive display.
 19. The application product of claim18 wherein daubing comprises the application presenting the player withan interactive display on the output device of all the possiblecharacters to be called during the game when the player touches a viewcalled numbers option.
 20. The application product of claim 16 furthercomprises executable code having functionality to generate interactivedisplays of bingo cards without requiring the capture of the likeness orcontent of the physical bingo cards.
 21. The application product ofclaim 16 further comprises further comprises executable code havingfunctionality to automatically identifying instances of matches betweenthe called characters and visual content on the face of each bingo card.